It was a Sunday and the weather was rubbish, so I suggested a country drive.

Without any reason, we found ourselves in the beautiful village of Edgworth, between Darwen and Bolton.

It was here I remembered the Rose and Crown, a pub my parents took me to for the occasional meal.

I had celebrated a couple of birthdays there with a really good steak.

So I suggested we pop in — and what a good decision it turned out to be.

The pub is under new management.

A new menu has been drawn up, offering a range from snacks and sandwiches to proper meals.

I opted for a steak burger, while my fiancee had a chicken burger.

The steak was delicious and the chicken was a real chicken breast, not just plastic in breadcrumbs.

The highlight was the chips — proper homemade ones in all shapes and sizes.

Our hostess decided the portions on our plates were not big enough and brought us another bowl of chips. What great service.

Having enjoyed it so much we had little choice but to explore the dessert menu.

I had my favourite, sticky toffee pudding, and custard, with my partner went for the melted chocolate pudding with ice cream.

Both were huge, moist and delicious.

Price-wise, it isn’t cheap, but it is no more than you’d expect to pay for food at any decent non-chain food pub.

It was pretty quiet but the atmosphere didn’t feel awkward.

The service was excellent and the staff were friendly.

My food was topped off with a delicious pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord — and there was one other real ale on the bar as well.

Verdict

  • Food: 9
  • Drink: 9
  • Service: 10
  • Atmosphere: 6
  • Value: 7